In Browse Mode, when adjacent objects have anchors defined to extend, a proportional resizing would avoid an object to "eat" another.
In other words, allowing multiple adjacent objects to be extensible.
Example taken on Layout Mode where you can, since v12, resize multiple objects simultaneously and where a proportional resizing is applied.
The more specific implementation for this I'd like to see is to give us the option to anchor objects to each other, in addition to the edges of the window.
I've come very far with all those anchor tricks to have just 1 GUI for all different kinds of iOS Devices.
Be aware of this bug (confirmed by FMI TS):
Well, but what do you think about this one ? Down or Up ?
I voted this up, but I'm having a hard time envisioning the UI for it.
maybe it's not 'the UI for it', but '1 UI for all' different devices (PC, Smartphones, Tablets) AND purposes (WebDirect).
To be honest, I'm not very excited about new Feature Requests and ideas as long as FMI has a release pending which competes with the FMP 12 disaster regarding the amount of bugs.
You may have put the finger on another issue. Most new features introduced with FMP stopped on the half way since FMI doesn't put concept into a developer perspective. Otherwise, minor additional effort would grant higher versatility.
Placeholder Text is one of many examples:
FMP14: Use Placeholder-Txt for formula based layout content (DataSeparation)
neither have I?!!
This thread, for any freaking reasons, disappeared or maybe needs FileMaker Certifications to grant access.
It was about using Placeholder Text in empty fields in order to build formula based text and content in the GUI. I also stated that unfortunately, Printing of this Placeholder text is disabled in any case. A misconception, nobody who does FM development for real would have thought of.
Running with the model of anchoring objects to other objects, maybe layout mode has another submode (such as for setting tab order) that lets you link objects by dragging lines between handles on the objects' edges, a la anchoring lines to nodes in OmniGraffle.
To me, it can be as simple as actually, i mean just 4 anchors. The only difference is that when adjacent objects are extending, they must share the available space. To understand this, just draw 2 adjacent fields on Layout Mode : one on the right another on the left. Then select both and use the mouse to extend them in height and width. Observe like FileMaker is managing this, in order like the object on the left is not eating the object on the right. And you can also do it with with 4 objects : a grid. it also works !
I might have misunderstood your suggestion, but if layout objects overlap then this linking method would be a worse nightmare than the current tab order arrow mechanism. I'd rather have a hierarchical list like I suggested here: Better Layer Management , with grouping/linking/tab order control built-in.
How about a responsive column tool:
1. User would click a toolbar button which would allow them to specify the # of zones.
2. User can resize zones by dragging
3. Layout elements would be anchored to the zone, as opposed to the window
4. Zones would resize proportionally to the window
5. Layout elements in right-most zone would drop below left-most zone if the window resizes narrower than the right-most zone.
PeterDoern schrieb:
How about a responsive column tool:
suggested that:
https://community.filemaker.com/ideas/1152
please vote for it :-)
ah, right -- I thought I saw it suggested elsewhere. Done.
It seems to be quite simple: groups should resize proportionally. Just like when you group 2 fields and then increase the width.
I think anchor lines connecting objects is enough to show anchor object groups. A separate sub-mode isn't a bad idea either. I could see that working. FMI clearly knows how to do it, since you can proportionally resize when resizing layout objects in layout mode ( kind of, the space resizes also ).
jbante wrote:
Running with the model of anchoring objects to other objects, maybe layout mode has another submode (such as for setting tab order) that lets you link objects by dragging lines between handles on the objects' edges, a la anchoring lines to nodes in OmniGraffle.
Hi Fred - I agree that the existing anchors would be enough.
The problem with the idea is backwards compatibility…if FMI just changed the way anchoring is interpreted, 1000s of layouts would break and look ugly.
On the other hand, it’s not a problem really, because they would only change their appearance, if they had a double-expand before.
Great solution! Useful new functionality with 0 change to the UI
For backwards compatibility, they would likely need to include an option to turn on proportional/relative resizing.
If the proportional resizing only occurs in situations where 2 objects would have crashed into each other in the past, I think no option is necessary.
Sent from my iPhone
AND I think it is better if FMI keep the interface as simple as possible. Thus extra unnecessary options (that new users have to first understand) are better avoided!
Sent from my iPhone
If the proportional resizing only occurs in situations where 2 objects would have crashed into each other
It was what i tried to suggest originally.
Possibly...but I'll be honest. I don't like someone else deciding how something resizes for me.
Mmmh, but in practice, when one object "eat" another, it make no sense; if a am honest, actual behavior could even be considered as a bug...
Totally agree Fred. I would like to see FMI give us more control over what actually happens. Instead of deciding for us...with either the current behavior or otherwise.
As an alternative this is my suggestion:
With this everybody can decide what he wants to have.
This is also a longstanding wish of myself. I uploaded this feature request one day after the anchoring/resizing feature appeared in FM. I don't recall it exactly, but that was a long time ago.